Apparatus for disinfecting and disinfesting premises

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an apparatus for disinfecting and disinfesting various inhabited premises or quarters, particularly the cockpit of an aircraft, characterized by the combination of an aerosol generator and at least one volumetric adjustable discharge pump known per se, and wherein the delivery tube of the pump is placed in communication with the fixed tank of the generator, preferably above the maximum admissible level of the liquid and the suction tube is capable of being connected to a cartridge of the treatment product and a control programmer device is interposed between on the one hand a power source and on the other hand the motor driving the or each disc of said generator unitary with the suction tube and the motor driving said pump in order concomitantly to control their duration of operation and the instantaneous discharge of this pump.

,1 1 n time States atent [151 momma Malczewski 1 1 Feb. 8, 1972 [54] APPARATUS FOR DHSINFECTING AND 3,290,021 12/1966 Blachly et al. ..239/216 X DISHNFESTING PREMISES Primary ExaminerM. Henson Wood, Jr. [72] Inventor: Jeremie Malczewski, Boulogne-sur-Seme, Assistant Examiner Michae] France Attorney-Marks & Clerk and John Lezdey [73] Assignee: Societe anonyme dite: Bronzsvia, Courbevoie (Haute-de-Seine), France [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: June 1 1970 This invention relates to an apparatus for disinfecting and disinfesting various inhabited premises or quarters, particularly PP 42,033 the cockpit of an aircraft, characterized by the combination of an aerosol generator and at least one volumetric adjustable discharge pump known per se, and wherein the delivery tube [30] Fomgn Apphcauon Pnomy Data of the pump is placed in communication with the fixed tank of June 3, 1969 France ..6918270 the generator, preferably above the maximum admissible level of the liquid and the suction tube is capable of being con- [52] US. Cl ..239/69, 239/224, 222/384, nected to a cartridge of the treatment product and a control 261/91, 21/123 programmer device is interposed between on the one hand a [51] Int. Cl ..B05b 3/10 power source and on the other hand the motor driving the or [5 8] Field of Search ..239/63, 67, 69, 93, 223, 224; each disc of said generator unitary with the suction tube and 21/121 122, 123; 261/29, 91; 222/52, 76, 80, 383, the motor driving said pump in order concomitantly to control 384 their duration of operation and the instantaneous discharge of this pump. [56] References Cited 6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,941,725 6/1960 Federighi et al. ..239/67 X APPARATUS FOR DISINFECTING AND DISINFESTING PREMISES The present invention relates to an apparatus for disinfecting and disinfesting various inhabited premises or quarters.

Certain premises, and more especially the compartments or cabins of travellers must be disinfected and/or disinfested while normally remaining occupied. This disinfecting and/or disinfesting operation must then be carried out according to very precise specifications (for example, those of the World Health Organization) which impose for each disinfectant or insecticidal product authorized:

a. the minimum and maximum limits of its concentration per cubic meter of air of the premises b. the duration of the operation.

These conditions guarantee the efilciency of the operation at the same time as its harmlessness to the occupants.

Apart from the manual dispensing devices, the only apparatus used at present which automatically fulfills conditions (a) and (b) above, substantially comprises, in order to simplify the description, a motor-compressor unit blowing hot air loaded with the disinfectant and/or insecticidal product (hereinafter known as treatment product) into distribution pipes. An electronic device adjusts the temperature of the hot air and consequently, due to the fact that the phenomenon of sublimation or evaporation intensifies as a function of the temperature, the quantity of treatment product conveyed, thus distributed in the premises; this device also adjusts the duration of operation. The operator simply has to insert a cartridge of the treatment product (which can be used only once) and press on the button which starts off operation.

The known apparatus has numerous disadvantages: complexity, fragility, very high cost price, risks or irregularity which must be guarded against by making a periodic checking, especially excess weight which reduces the useful load or increases the fuel consumption, thus burdening the economic viability of an airplane if the area to be treated is in fact the pilots cabin, the passengers cabins, the luggage hold, etc., of an airplane.

The present invention has for its object to remedy these disadvantages by creating an apparatus of simple design and production, which is efficient, sure, reliable, regular, light, of a low cost price and which may use equipment already present in an airplane or other vehicle, fixed premises, etc., in order to fulfill the essentially different functions.

Before dealing with the object of the invention, it is important to note that the constructors have abandoned the distribution of the treatment product in the form of an aerosol, as they have met with the major difficulty of distributing this aerosol in very precise small quantities over a fairly long period of time, and of distributing it uniformly in the premises, and they have been incapable of mastering this phenomenon under the above conditions by means of a conventional generator, because it is well known that this latter always delivers a mist, the discharge of which can only be stabilized and controlled if it is relatively large; in fact, the suction tube unitary with the centrifugal atomizer disc had, according to the unanimous opinion of the specialists, to plunge into the liquid of the tank and the discharge could then be limited only by reducing the dimensions of the risk and adjusted only by varying the speed from a minimum speed corresponding to the limiting centrifugal field producing the atomization; now, these conditions of reduced dimensions and speed nonetheless produced a much too high discharge for the application forming the object of the invention.

The applicant, instead of abandoning this research like all the specialists, went into it further and made decisive experiments. Experience has shown, as was already known, that in the tube unitary with the rotary disc of the generator, a vacuum was produced, due to the rapid rotation, which was sufiicient for drawing a liquid over a small height. However, experience has shown a new phenomenon: if, instead of dipping this tube into the liquid, it is made to open out above the free level thereof, it is observed that the vacuum induces a waterspout phenomenon, as illustrated in H6. 1, Le, a small quantity of water rises in the form of more or less bound droplets, in the air above the level I of the liquid and penetrates in a column or waterspout 2 into the rotating tube 3 under the combined effects of the vacuum and rotation. lt is then important to note that the discharge of aerosol produced is very small (in any case smaller than that which it would be if the tube 3 were dipped in the liquid of the fixed tank 4 and corresponds precisely to what is necessary for respecting the dosage of product imposed and mentioned under (a)) herelnabove.

On the other hand, it is observed that if the discharge of the added liquid is smaller than the discharge which the generator would be capable of converting into aerosol, a constant level of equilibrium 1 is established which is dependent on the discharge of added liquid and that the above-mentioned waterspout phenomenon is stable and not, as might be supposed, subject to pulsations between periodic stoppings.

The present invention is based on this new and unexpected phenomenon.

In accordance with the invention, the apparatus comprises in combination an aerosol generator and at least one volumetric adjustable discharge pump, the delivery tube of which is placed in communication with the fixed tank of the generator, preferably above the maximum level admissible of the liquid, and the suction tube of which may be connected to a cartridge of the treatment product, a control programmer device being interposed between, on the one hand, a power source and, on the other hand, the motor for driving the or each disc of said generator unitary with the suction tube and the motor driving said pump in order concomitantly to control their duration of operation and the instantaneous discharge of this pump.

in addition, the cartridge may advantageously be made in the following manner: it is at least partly filled with a liquid and is unitary, by its base, with a perforatable capsule in which the treatment product is dispersed in a vector liquid partially filling said capsule, the other part of which contains a pressurized gas, the cartridge is provided with a screwable ferrule defining apertures for connection to the atmosphere, which are normally internally stopped by an annular sealed fitting unitary with the flange surrounding the upper opening of a tube, the lower end of which opening out laterally through holes into said cartridge, is closed by a small plate, which on the one hand is provided with a perforating tip located opposite the capsule and, on the other hand, is supported on a spring which concomitantly tends to move said tip away and to apply the fitting against the ferrule, the member for connecting the suction tube of the pump comprises a screwable cap unitary with a tube that may be inserted into that of the cartridge in order to repel the perforating tip during screwing.

The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows the waterspout phenomenon as described hereinbefore;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic section through the apparatus;

FlG. 3 shows a simplified block diagram showing the programming device and its connections with the members of the apparatus;

FIG. 4 shows an axial section through the cartridge.

Directing attention now to the drawings, FIG. 2 shows an aerosol generator 5 known per se. it comprises a fixed sheath 6 defining in its lower part an aperture 7 for the admission of ambient air and in its upper part an aperture 8 for evacuating from the aerosol, connected, by means of flanges 9, to at least one distribution pipe 10 which, in airplanes is that existing for air conditioning the cockpit. In this sheath is resiliently suspended a motor 11 whose driven shaft is unitary with a plate 12 coupled to a centrifugal disc 13 dispersing the liquid into very fine particles, drawing in the ambient air and mixing these particles with the air in order to form the aerosol. The sheath 6 resiliently supports a tank 14 provided with an overflow pipe 15 and into which a suction tube 16 unitary with the disc 13 opens out.

The top of this tube 16 opens out onto the upper face and in the center of the disc 13. However, a novel feature is that its lower end 161', which is suitably shaped, is located above the free level 1 of the liquid contained in the tank and at a stable distance d which depends, as may be seen from the preceding experimental account on the discharge of the liquid brought into the tank 14.

Numeral 17 designates a volumetric adjustable discharge pump, which is also known per se. In the embodiment chosen by way of preference but in nonlimiting manner, it is of the type with a diaphragm and alternating actuation solenoid. It therefore comprises a resiliently deformable diaphragm 18 (made of an elastomer, a metal or metal alloy, etc.), the periphery of which is hermetically fixed in a casing 19, thus defining a chamber 20 whose volume varies periodically by alternative deformation of the said diaphragm. This latter is unitar'y, perpendicularly at its center, with an operating rod 21 which comprises a soft iron core extending coaxially into a solenoid 22 fed with alternafing current by a source 23. By controlling the frequency of this current and possibly the stroke of the rod 21, the discharge of fluid traversing the chamber 20 is controlled and a means for adjusting this discharge is thus available. In addition, the casing 19 is unitary with a suction tube 24 and a delivery tube 25 provided respectively with a suction valve 26 and a delivery valve 27.

According to the invention, in addition to the fact that the suction tube 16 of the generator opens out above the level 1 of the liquid (FIGS. 1 and 2), the apparatus comprises in combination this aerosol generator and the volumetric adjustable discharge pump 17. To this end, the delivery or outlet tube 25 of the pump is connected to the tank 14 of the generator, directly or by a pipe 28 preferably opening out above the maximum admissible level 1 of the liquid. In addition, the inlet tube 24 of the pump is connectable to a cartridge 29 (FIGS. 2 and 4) containing the treatment product. Finally, a programmer device 30 (FIG. 3) is interposed on the one hand between the AC source 23 and on the other hand the motor 11 of the generator and the solenoid 22 of the pump by electrical connections shown schematically by lines.

When the operator has connected the cartridge 29 in the manner described hereinafter and when he has started off the programming device 30, this device provokes the electrical feed of the motor 1 1 and the solenoid 27 by permanently regulating the frequence of the current reaching the solenoid in other words, by regulating the discharge of the treatment product. The programming device then cuts off the feed, when the duration of diffusion of this product is reached.

In order to perfect the operation of the apparatus and to further improve security, a level detector 31 may be provided in the tank 14 which sends information to the programmer device 30 in order that this latter corrects its intervention on an inlet of rising water described hereinafter. To the same end, the programmer device may also be placed under the dependence of an analyzer 32 mounted on the distribution pipe and transmitting information thereto on the dosage of the product effectively conveyed in the aerosol.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous to clean the generator 5 and the installation that is attached thereto in order to get rid of the residues of the product after the duration of the treatment. To this end, the tank 14 is branched to a pipe 33 for rinsing water (mentioned above) by means of a valve 34 controlled, preferably electrically, by the programmer device 30 (FIGS. 2 and 3). In this case, the latter controls, at the beginning of a cycle, the feed of the motor 11 only and this results in the residues of water in the tank 14 being eliminated. It then controls the feed of the solenoid 22 in the manner already described, by maintaining that of the motor 11. The distribution of an aerosol of the product commences. After the prescribed duration of diffusion, it cuts the supply of the solenoid only and controls the opening of the electrovalve 34, possibly under the control of the detector 31. The pure water which reaches the tank rinses the generator and the installation located downstream. Finally, it closes the electrovalve 34,

then cuts the feed of the motor 11. The apparatus ceases to operate and to signal this, it sets of a luminous, sonorous or other warning.

It is obvious that the programmer device may be of any type: electronic, electromechanical, mechanical, pneumatic or other type.

Concerning the cartridge 29, it seems particularly advantageous being given that the treatment product is very harmful and that it loses its qualities at the end of a certain period of time if it is dissolved or placed in suspension in water, to adopt the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

According to this embodiment, the cartridge 29 is provided in its upper part with a screwable cap 35 hermetically closed by a crimped cover 36. Its base is unitary with a perforatable capsule 37 provided with a plunging tube 38. This capsule partly contains a suitable liquid 39 in which the treatment product is dispersed (in suspension, dissolved or the like) and, above the liquid, a pressurized gas such as freon. The contents of said capsule are thus isolated from that of the cartridge which is water 40, only partly filling said cartridge.

The ferrule 35 defines apertures 41 for connection with the atmosphere, which are normally closed by an annular fitting 42 unitary with a flange of a tube 44 extending coaxially between said ferrule and said capsule. At its upper end, the tube 44 is open and surrounded by the flange 43, whilst at its lower end, it is closed by a plate 45 unitary with a perforating tip 46 located straight above the tube 38 of the capsule. A spring 47 is interposed between this latter and the plate 45 in order to tend on the one hand to move the tip 46 away and avoid an involuntary perforation, on the other hand to apply the fitting 42 against the tip 35 and hermetically seal the apertures 41. Moreover, the tube 44 has, near its plate 45, lateral holes 48 communicating the inner cavity of the cartridge with the internal conduit of the tube 44, thus with the tapped hole of the ferrule 35.

Finally, the suction tube 24 of the pump 17 is provided with a connection member comprising a screwable cover 50 capable of cooperating with the ferrule 35 of a cartridge. The cover 50 is unitary with a tube 51 which must be inserted into that 44 of the cartridge in question after decapsuling. During screwing, the tube 51 repels the plate 45 and this results in the first place in the tip 46 perforating the capsule 37, thus releasing the treatment product 39 which under the pressure of the freon, mixes with the water and, in the second place in the fitting 42 separating from the ferrule 35, releasing the apertures 41 and then placing the cartridge in communication with the atmosphere, so that the water containing the treatment product may be drawn by the pump 17.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for disinfecting and disinfesting various premises, particularly the cockpit of an aircraft, with a liquid treatment product which comprises the combination of an aerosol generator having a fixed tank with a distribution conduit disc means for dispersing liquid in a fine spray through the distribution tube, and at least one volumetric adjustable discharge pump, said pump having a delivery tube in communication with said tank above the maximum admissible liquid level, and an inlet tube capable of being connected to a cartridge of the treatment product, motor means for operating said disc means, means for actuating said pump, and a programmer device connected with said motor means, and means for actuating said pump so as to control the duration and dosage of treatment product sprayed.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including an analyzing means for indicating the dosage of treatment product sprayed mounted on said distribution conduit and connected with said programmer device so as to signal dosage of treatment product conveyed.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tank is connected to a water source through a valve, and said valve is connected for operation to said programmer device so as to maintain a predetermined water level in said tank.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 including a detector for detecting the level of water in said tank and said detector is operatively connected to said programmer device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cartridge is at least partially filled with a liquid and is unitary at its base with a perforatable capsule in which the treatment product is dispersed in a vector liquid partly filling said capsule, the other part of which contains a pressurized gas, wherein the cartridge is provided with a screwable ferrule defining apertures for connection with the atmosphere normally internally closed by an annular sealed fitting unitary with the flange surrounding the upper opening of a tube whose lower end which opens out laterally through holes into said cartridge, is closed by a plate which is provided with a perforating tip located opposite the capsule and is supported on a spring tending concomitantly to move said tip away and to apply the fitting against the ferrule, and wherein the member for connecting the suction tube of said pump comprises a screwable cap unitary with a tube capable of being inserted into that of the cartridge in order to repel the perforating tip during screwing.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim I, wherein the pump is of the type with diaphragm and alternating actuation solenoid. 

1. An apparatus for disinfecting and disinfesting various premises, particularly the cockpit of an aircraft, with a liquid treatment product which comprises the combination of an aerosol generator having a fixed tank with a distribution conduit disc means for dispersing liquid in a fine spray through the distribution tube, and at least one volumetric adjustable discharge pump, said pump having a delivery tube in communication with said tank above the maximum admissible liquid level, and an inlet tube capable of being connected to a cartridge of the treatment product, motor means for operating said disc means, means for actuating said pump, and a programmer device connected with said motor means, and means for actuating said pump so as to control the duration and dosage of treatment product sprayed.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 including an analyzing means for indicating the dosage of treatment product sprayed mounted on said distribution conduit and connected with said programmer device so as to signal dosage of treatment product conveyed.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tank is connected to a water source through a valve, and said valve is connected for operation to said programmer device so as to maintain a predetermined water level in said tank.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 including a detector for detecting the level of water in said tank and said detector is operatively connected to said programmer device.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cartridge is at least partially filled with a liquid and is unitary at its base with a perforatable capsule in which the treatment product is dispersed in a vector liquid partly filling said capsule, the other part of which contains a pressurized gas, wherein the cartridge is provided with a screwable ferrule defining apertures for connection with the atmosphere normally internally closed by an annular sealed fitting unitary with the flange surrounding the upper opening of a tube whose lower end which opens out laterally through holes into said cartridge, is closed by a plate which is provided with a perforating tip located opposite the capsule and is supported on a spring tending concomitantly to move said tip away and to apply the fitting against the ferrule, and wherein the member for connecting the suction tube of said pump comprises a screwable cap unitary with a tube capable of being inserted into that of the cartridge in order to repel the perforating tip during screwing.
 6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the pump is of the type with diaphragm and alternating actuation solenoid. 